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Industry Canada > Business Tools and Resources > Corporations Canada > Create / Maintain a Corporation > Are you thinking of incorporating?

Corporations Canada

Are you thinking of incorporating?

Brochure: Are you thinking of incorporating? By incorporating, you:

  • may limit your personal liability;
  • pay lower taxes;
  • improve your access to capital;
  • protect your corporate identity; and
  • establish a separate legal entity.

You can incorporate federally or in any one of Canada's 13 provincial and territorial jurisdictions

but

there are at least four reasons to consider launching your company federally under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA).

Reason 1

You can file documents and pay fees online

Filing articles of incorporation under the CBCA has never been more convenient. Simply go to Corporations Canada's website. Then click on "Online Filing" and follow the instructions to:

  • access and file incorporation forms online from anywhere (office or home) at any time (24 hours a day, seven days a week);
  • pay incorporation fees with your Visa® or MasterCard® through the Strategis Secure Online Electronic Commerce System; and
  • get immediate acknowledgment of your filing — no more worrying about whether your documents got to the right office.

Usually, we'll process your online documents and send back your certificate of incorporation the same day, or the next day.

You can also use the Corporations Canada Online Filing Centre to file annual returns, notices of directors, changes in your mailing address, and many other documents.

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Reason 2

Loads of helpful information

Corporations Canada has developed step-by-step information to help you incorporate your company federally.

Corporations Canada also provides kits, samples, notes, frequently asked questions and easy-to-follow forms to take you through all the steps of incorporation. For further information, go to Corporations Canada's website.

Access our Guide to Federal Incorporation online.

Among other things, this guide provides information on:

  • incorporating;
  • organizing your corporation; and
  • complying with the CBCA.
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Reason 3

High-quality service

Corporations Canada works continuously with small business owners to:

  • make its services more accessible and convenient;
  • develop better policies, legislation and regulations; and
  • design forms and documents that are easy to understand and that help owners comply with the requirements of the CBCA.
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Reason 4

Protection, flexibility and recognition

Many small business owners say they incorporated federally because the CBCA gives them unparalleled name protection, flexibility of location and global recognition…

  • Corporations Canada applies very tough tests before granting a company the right to use a particular name. When your company's name is approved, it's protected across the country — a status second only to trade-mark protection.
  • In order to obtain a corporate name approval, you need to provide a federal name search report. This report may now be ordered from a search house or online from the NUANS® real time service for $20 (Visa® and MasterCard®). Both a search house list and the NUANS®> online search service can be accessed from Corporations Canada's website in the "Choosing a Name" section.
  • Federally incorporated companies can carry on business anywhere in Canada.
  • By incorporating under the CBCA you can set up your head office, keep your corporate records and hold annual general meetings anywhere in Canada.
  • Federal incorporation is often considered a sign of distinction —; your company will receive global recognition as a Canadian company.

Keep in mind you will likely be required to register your company in any province or territory where you carry on business (a fee may be required). Registration is different from incorporation. While a company may be incorporated only once, it may be registered in any number of jurisdictions to carry on business.

Reduced fees for online filing!
Not only is filing online easier and more convenient, it's a lot cheaper. Incorporation and annual return filing fees are lower when paid online than when paid through any other means — $200 vs. $250 for incorporation and $20 vs. $40 for annual returns.

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For Further Information

Visit our website or contact Corporations Canada at:

Headquarters

9th Floor, Jean Edmonds Towers South
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa ON K1A 0C8
General Inquiries: 613-941-9042 (Ottawa region)
Fax: 613-941-0601
1-866-333-5556

Montréal

Suite 800
5 Place Ville-Marie
Montréal QC H3B 2G2
Tel.: 514-496-1797
Fax: 514-283-2247

Vancouver

Suite 2000
300 West Georgia Street
Vancouver BC V6B 6E1
Tel.: 604-666-9875
Fax: 604-666-4274

Toronto

151 Yonge Street
Toronto ON M5C 2W7
Tel.: 416-954-2714
Fax: 416-973-8714

Date Modified: 2009-04-07

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